Southampton recorded a comfortable victory over Preston North End last night and one player was lauded for his moment of real quality.
Southampton kept the pressure on the Championship’s top two after recording an impressive 3-0 victory over Preston North End.
Russell Martin‘s men played swashbuckling football as the visitors struggled to live with their quick and incisive passing.
The Saints took the lead through Che Adams inside 19 minutes as he slid home an Adam Armstrong cross and then it was utter dominance from then on.
Adams doubled their lead 10 minutes later before Stuart Armstrong capitalised on an error to rifle home on the edge of the box.
That performance sent a serious message to their promotion rivals as they moved four points behind second place with a game in hand.
Che Adams hailed for ‘top quality’ moment v Preston
When Martin’s possession-based style clicks into top gear, it is a pleasure to watch Southampton.
They constantly barraged the Preston goal with attack after attack, and Adams was at the heart of their dominance.
The 27-year-old scored a brace on the night, taking his tally to 15 for the season.
Adams’ first goal was a proper striker finish, confidently dispatching the ball home inside the box, while his second was one of the best team goals you’re likely to see.
The ball was fired in his direction; instead of taking it in his stride, he dummied it for David Brooks who played it straight into his path before sliding past Freddie Woodman.
Former Reading winger Jobi McAnuff was blown away by this moment of brilliance on Sky Sports, lauding it as “Premier League quality” after the match.
“That’s Premier League quality,” McAnuff said. “The movement, the touch, the awareness, the weight of pass and then the finish. It’s top top quality.”
Southampton may have to rethink Che Adams’ stance
Adams’ contract at St Marys expires this summer with the club yet to offer renewed terms.
Clubs have latched onto that stance as it was reported that Premier League side Wolves were leading the race for his signature.
The Scotland international would be a big loss to the Saints, and his performance last night demonstrates why Southampton should offer him a new contract.
Adams is loved on the South Coast, and while he may crave a new challenge, losing a top-quality striker on a free is bound to hurt.
Perhaps if Southampton get promoted to the Premier League, a contract will be placed on the table, but for now, his future is up in the air and that is an issue they must resolve.